Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pets among reptile lovers because of their docile and friendly nature. With most reptiles, you must be content to watch them do their own thing in their enclosure.
You can interact with bearded dragons and handle them outside their cage. Many become so comfortable with their caretakers that they allow the use of harnesses and even clothing.
We’ve included 13 facts about bearded dragons so you can get to know this popular species better.
1. What Is A Bearded Dragon?
Is a bearded dragon a lizard? Yes, bearded dragons are moderately sized lizards popular in the pet trade that are a good choice for beginners.
They have spikes below their chin and down the sides of their bodies.
The spikes give them the appearance of a beard, which is where they got their name. To add to the “beard” illusion, these dragons can flare and darken the skin under their throats.
Their “beard” makes them look more prominent, and they use it as an intimidation tactic when feeling threatened.
Most bearded dragons grow to about 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m) long, and their tails make up half of that length.
These lizards are great for beginners because they are so calm and interactive. Unlike many lizards, you can handle bearded dragons without stress. Many enjoy spending time with their owners and learning tricks.
Although bearded dragons are easy to care for, they are a big commitment. They can live for 6-10 years, and because of their size, they need a large enclosure.
For one or two dragons, you’ll need at least 55 gallons. They need sand, reptile carpet, or newspaper to keep their tank clean, and you need lights to keep them warm.
- Common Names: Bearded Dragon
- Scientific Name: Pogona sp. (P. vitticeps is the most common species kept as a pet)
- Origin: Australian deserts
- Size (Length): 1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)
- Lifespan: 5-12 years
- Enclosure Size:
- Temperament: Relaxed & alert
- Ease of Care: Easy
A wild bearded dragon can live for about 5-8 years, while a pet may live for 14+ years. Well-cared-for bearded dragons often live for 8-12 years but can live longer. It’s rare for bearded dragons to live for over 14 years, but not impossible.
An angry bearded dragon will open its mouth and raise its chin. It then puffs its beard to make itself bigger and hisses at the threat. Bearded dragons become territorial, especially around other males. They will fight each other for food, dominance, and females. They may even fight females if they don’t show submissive behavior.
As a pet, a happy bearded dragon waves its arms in contentment. They may also bow their heads, swing their tail, and yawn. You’ll also know that your bearded dragon is happy if it lets you pick it up and if it crawls on you. A stressed dragon will try to get away from you.
2. Where Do Bearded Dragons Come From?
In the wild, bearded dragons inhabit the deserts of Australia. They enjoy warm and arid areas, and you may also see them in savannas, woodlands, and scrublands.
Bearded dragons are semi-arboreal and can climb trees. Australian residents often see them sitting on tree branches or the tops of fence posts.
The United States gained bearded dragons in the 1990s; now, they are one of the most popular pet reptiles. It’s rare to go into a pet store that sells reptiles and not see a bearded dragon.
3. How Fast Can A Bearded Dragon Run?
Usually, bearded dragons are sedentary animals who prefer not to run. But, if they feel threatened, they can run up to 9 mph (14.4 km/h).
4. Do Bearded Dragons Have Teeth?
It’s hard to see, but bearded dragons have small teeth relative to their large jaw. You’re not likely to see the teeth unless you look closely and the dragon opens its mouth for you.
Bearded dragon teeth line the entire jaw in a “U” shape like the mouths of many animals, including humans. They have two different kinds of teeth, one kind on the upper jaw and the other kind on the lower jaw.
Their upper jaw contains about 30-40 acrodont teeth. The tooth is flat from the front to the back of the tooth, but the blade is broad. Each tooth has a singular cusp shaped like a triangle.
As humans, our teeth are attached to our mouths by a socket and roots in our gums. A bearded dragon’s teeth connect directly to the top of its jawbone. Since the teeth attach directly to the jawbone, they do not regrow. The teeth that bearded dragons grow as juveniles are the same teeth they have throughout adulthood.
Their lower jaw contains as many as 40 pleurodont teeth that, unlike the upper teeth, can regrow if broken or lost. The older or bigger a bearded dragon is, the more teeth its lower jaw contains.
Pleurodont teeth are more prominent and attach to the lower jawbone. Unlike the upper teeth, they sit inside small sockets inside the edge of the bone. The lower teeth are the ones that do most of the gripping and crushing of captured prey.
The outside of their teeth comprises a hard enamel coating. Underneath the enamel is dentin which makes up the majority of the tooth. The center of the tooth consists of nerves and pulp filled with blood vessels.
5. Can Bearded Dragons See In Color?
Bearded dragons have four color receptors, while humans only have three. They can see UV waves and colors of greens, blues, purples, and reds.
Color vision may be necessary for bearded dragons because they can change the color of their body to blend in with their surroundings. Bearded dragons don’t need to see in color to change their body color, but it makes sense that there would be a link between the two abilities.
6. Bearded Dragon Sleeping Positions
Bearded dragons tend to sleep on their stomachs, but their caretakers often notice them sleeping in unusual positions. In the wild, bearded dragons usually sleep vertically on the sides of tree trunks where they feel safe, so they will sometimes adopt these positions in captivity, too.
If you keep sand in your bearded dragon’s enclosure, you’ll likely see them burying themselves in the sand to sleep.
Bearded dragons cannot sleep standing up because their muscles relax during sleep. If your bearded dragon is standing with their eyes closed, they are likely resting but not sleeping. They may also lean against objects in a way that makes them appear like they’re standing when they aren’t.
Some bearded dragons choose to lay in their water bowl to cool down. You shouldn’t allow them to sleep in their bowl, though, because they can become overhydrated, cold, and sick.
Usually, bearded dragons will exit their water dish once they’ve cooled off, but sometimes, they may fall asleep. If your dragon takes to this habit, you’ll need to begin removing the water dish at night.
7. Bearded Dragons Waving & Head-Bobbing
If you have a bearded dragon, there’s no doubt you’ve seen them “waving” at you. In the wild, this “waving” behavior signifies dominance or submission.
A bearded dragon that bobs its head quickly is usually displaying dominance. Bobbing their head slowly, accompanied by a wave, is a sign they are being submissive.
In captivity, a bearded dragon that waves its arms is usually happy, but one that bobs its head is stressing about something.
8. Rare Bearded Dragon Colors
There are over 20 different bearded dragon morphs; some are far rarer than others. The most common morphs among bearded dragons are yellow, tan, red, and olive green.
Blue and purple bearded dragons are incredibly rare. As babies, they are translucent with blue stomachs, but they usually lose the clear blue color with age. Adults that keep their translucent blue color become rare blue and purple bearded dragons.
In the wild, bearded dragons may have flecks of red throughout their bodies. Those with entirely red bodies have been bred in captivity and are more expensive and rare. Ruby red dragons are the deepest red and are among the most costly dragon morphs.
Snow bearded dragon morphs are rare because they lack color and pattern.
Bearded dragons who are truly black are almost non-existent. Don’t confuse true black dragons with those that simply have darker pigments. Dark brown dragons are more common, and bearded dragons may become darker when cold, sick, or stressed.
9. Do Bearded Dragons Pee?
Bearded dragons do not urinate in the same way mammals do. They produce a substance called “urate,” which is uric acid that the animal has secreted. Rather than coming out as a liquid, bearded dragons make urate as a chalky, white substance. There may be some liquid alongside the white material, but it’s minimal. Bearded dragons usually produce their urate alongside their poop.
10. How To Sex A Bearded Dragon
Most people enjoy knowing the sex of their bearded dragon, and it’s not that hard to do once you know what you’re looking for. Do not rely on size or behavior to sex your bearded dragon, as these methods are often unreliable.
The Bearded Dragon describes the most accurate way to sex your lizard:
“The most accurate way to determine your bearded dragon’s sex (without going to a vet or doing anything too invasive) is by looking at their underside to see if you can recognize any gender-specific body parts.
You can do this by lifting their tail and looking beneath it (look just above the vent/slit). Keep in mind that when you lift their tail, you should be very gentle and never lift it above 90 degrees… Male bearded dragons will have two bumps with a dimple between them above the vent… Female bearded dragons, on the other hand, female bearded dragons will have a raised bump in the middle of their tail right above the vent.”
If you have two or more bearded dragons, you may determine the sexes by looking at the head and tail. Males usually have broader heads and tails that are thicker at the base. But, if you only have one dragon or two dragons of the same gender, these methods won’t be helpful.
11. Bearded Dragon Breeding
A male bearded dragon has to win the favor of a female by performing an elaborate courtship display. National Geographic describes their dance:
“To catch the attention of a female, a male bearded dragon embarks on a showy ritual of courtship, pounding his feet into the ground and waving his arms and bobbing his head. The male will pursue the female and bite the back of her neck when mating.”
Researchers believe females can store sperm, allowing them to lay two clutches of eggs fertilized by the same male.
12. How Many Eggs Do Bearded Dragons Lay?
A female bearded dragon may lay one or two clutches of eggs during the breeding season. Each clutch contains 11-30 eggs.
The incubation temperature influences the sex of the developing embryos. Higher temperatures may cause male embryos to change to females, and unusually high temperatures may also cause bearded dragons to be slower learners.
13. Do Bearded Dragons Absorb Water Through Their Skin?
Bearded dragons do not absorb water through their skin; this is a common myth. They can absorb water through their vent, the opening at the base of their tail. Your bearded dragon must get plenty of drinking water and vegetables with good water content. Without a healthy diet, your bearded dragon won’t get enough water.
Conclusion
A bearded dragon is an Australian lizard famous in the reptile pet trade. Bearded dragons are friendly and peaceful and enjoy interacting with their owners. Caretakers often see their dragons waving at them in their enclosure, trying to get their attention. Bearded dragons are an excellent choice for beginner and expert reptile owners alike.
